Grief . . . and Hope

Five years ago on February 20, I received what I believed was the worst news of my life. I was told that I had breast cancer. I ached as I watched my family struggle and cry. I felt numb, scared, and a little angry as I faced surgery, chemo, radiation, and an uncertain future.

Five years later, that is no longer the worst news of my life. Last Friday, we received word that a young man who was very close to our family had suddenly passed away in his sleep. Our world has been rocked to the core.

We spent the last six months getting to know Thomas through the eyes of our children, but it feels like we knew him so much longer. He blessed our family with his wisdom and wit. He had a way of focusing his entire attention on whomever he was with at that moment. He had the incredible ability of becoming whatever was necessary to meet the needs in another person's life. He has left a legacy in our family, and will always be a part of our home and our hearts.

We sit in a holding pattern, grieving and reminiscing, clinging to each other and the memories of Thomas that we share, as well as the hope of meeting him in Heaven someday. And we know we will move forward. We know Thomas would want us to. He would say, in the words of Jim Elliot: "Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God."

And I've learned something. I've learned that bad news is relative. But the remedy is always the same ~ run to Jesus for the hope and peace that only He can give.